News

Portland State establishes office of University Advancement to bolster private fundraising

Author: Scott Gallagher

Posted: December 8, 2010

(Portland, Ore.) December 8, 2010 - President Wim Wiewel is announcing the establishment of the office of University Advancement, which will be responsible for building a culture of philanthropy both inside and outside of the University and increasing private funding.

PSU currently receives only about 15 percent of its budget from the state, with most of the rest coming from tuition. That percentage is expected to dwindle as the governor and the Legislature wrestle with a state budget shortfall amid competing demands of public education, social services, and public safety.

"It's unlikely that the state will allocate more money to higher education given Oregon's struggling economy," says Wiewel. "And it's not sustainable for Portland State to keep raising tuition. We need to be accessible to all qualified Oregonians regardless of need. To do that, we must move toward financial independence."

In addition to raising private money, Wiewel hopes to forge stronger bonds with PSU's growing alumni, now more than 65,000 in the Portland metro area and 125,000 strong worldwide, while building closer relationships with leaders across our region in business, public life, and philanthropy.

Francoise Aylmer, the new Vice President for University Advancement, was hired by Wiewel this fall to lead this initiative and secure new sources of private funding. "Every dollar contributed to PSU creates an opportunity and changes a life," said Aylmer. "Now, more than ever, we need to find people who understand that and are willing to invest in education."

"This effort signals a fundamental shift in philosophy at Portland State," says Ken Thrasher, Chairman of the Board of Compli and former CEO of Fred Meyer. "The work of University Advancement will improve the quality of life not just for PSU students and their families but for all Oregonians who will benefit from a more educated workforce."

For more information, please call University Advancement at 503-725-5032.

About Portland State UniversityPortland State University (PSU) serves as a center of opportunity for more than 29,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Located in Portland, Oregon, one of the nation's most livable cities, the University's innovative approach to education combines academic rigor in the classroom with field-based experiences through internships and classroom projects with community partners. The University's 49-acre downtown campus exhibits Portland State's commitment to sustainability with green buildings, while many of the 125 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees incorporate sustainability into the curriculum. PSU's motto, "Let Knowledge Serve the City," inspires the teaching and research of an accomplished faculty whose work and students span the globe.